In this article (quite long, sorry about that – but I promise it is worth it), we will examine a convention that is called XYZ. Many top players play that convention. My partner and I have been playing this for a great number of years and we have worked a lot to develop and refine it.

Why xyz? What does that mean?

1x 1y 1z

meaning

1any 1any 1any

The only important thing is that opener’s rebid is at the one level, either a suit or NT.

So, when the bidding goes that way, a 2 rebid by responder is artificial, forcing opener to bid 2.

Opener

Responder

1

1

1♠/1nt

2!

ALERT! If they ask, you say: partner orders me to bid 2 (or, if you have to self-alert, artificial, forces 2 by opener)

This relay generally initiates INVITATIONAL sequences. Responder can show a number of hands with invitational strength. But this relay can also be used for this:

Opener

Responder

1

1y

1z

2

2

Pass

The 2 forces opener to bid 2 and responder then passes.

A direct 2 rebid by responder is artificial and Game Forcing, even if opener’s first bid was 1:

Opener

Responder

1/1

1

1/1nt

2!

ALERT! If they ask, you say: Artificial, Game Forcing.

So if you want to play 2as responder, you cannot bid 2 directly. You have to use 2 and pass over the forced 2 rebid by opener.

The general structure is this:

A 2 rebid by responder is artificial and asks opener to bid 2. Responder will then pass or show different invitational hands.

A 2 rebid by responder is artificial, game-forcing, and asks opener to describe his hand.